Hi Guys- Jetguy drove 4 hours to meet me at my hotel in Houston and I just had one of the most wonderful evenings I've ever spent. We each feel that the other is like a long lost brother. We had dinner at Houston's (I remembered it from when Carol and I were here in August).

We sat at the bar first and I had two (count 'em - two) single malt scotches (Oban) - a first for me - and then were seated and we each had filet mignon. I've been on a diet of organic fruits and vegetables for months now and I've been dreaming about filet mignon all that time.

Bill is one of the most wonderful guys I've ever met, and I know he feels that way about me, too. And we have Healingwell.com to thank for introducing us and all you sweet folks for making it so conducive for that to happen.

While waiting for Bill to pick me up I was talking to three women in the lobby of the hotel and I said something strange. I said that thanks to this horrible disease, not only has my life changed for the better, but I've met a bunch of incredibely caring people from all over the country and world. You folks really are wonderful and I'm very lucky to have found this site and all of you.

And if Jetguy ever writes that he's going to be in your area and wonders if anyone would like to meet him for dinner, take him up on it. You'll never regret it.

I'm going up to my room now, so won't be able to respond should any of you add to this thread. I'm using one of the 'puters in the lobby of the hotel, available to guests, who are all patients at M.D. Anderson. I'll be undergoing tests all day tomorrow, but should be able to check back here tomorrow evening. If I have some spare time between tests, I'll use one of the 'puters in the various waiting rooms in the hospital which are available to patients. Needless to say, I can't praise this hospital or its hotel enough.

Good night all, and sweet dreams.

And Bill........thank you, Buddy.

-Les1/2005 Dx PSA 26.5 Gleason 7 (4+3) @Age 611/2005 Start Casodex and ZoladexPSA drops to <0.01 AND REMAINS THERE TO THIS DAY7/2005-8/2005 5 weeks of IMRT and then HDR brachy1/2007 Rad Oncologist orders CT scan of pelvisbecause of complaints of pain in both thighsMRI confirms pain not caused by cancer BUT1/2007 CT scan of pelvis picks up a nodule at bottom of left lung5/2007 CT scan of lungs shows 1/2007 nodule has grown andthere are numerous nodules on both lungs.6/2007 Thoracic surgeon removes wedge of left lung for biopsy6/2007 Path report says 95% chance of metastatic PCa, but she'snever seen cells like this before.7/2007 2nd opinion at M.D. Anderson in Houston.They confirm: mutated PCa, very rare, but seen there 2 or3 times. Recommendation: have CT scans every 6 weeksand watch for change. At that point start chemo and willsurvive for 22 - 24 months thereafter.PSA STILL UNDETECTABLE

A quick update - although I don't know why it should be of interest to anyone. I had my blood draw at 8 AM and went up 4 floors to Nuclear Medicine. I wasn't due here until 9:40, but they took me right away and I've already got my shot of nuclear stuff for the bone scan in 2 hours. The hardest part is going to drink the 4 or 5 8oz glasses of water they want me to have between now and the actual scan.

Just as I can't praise Bill enough as the perfect friend, I can't praise this hospital enough as the perfect hospital. I'm at one of the computers in the waiting room - couldn't be more convenient.

To be continued.

_les

1/2005 Dx PSA 26.5 Gleason 7 (4+3) @Age 611/2005 Start Casodex and ZoladexPSA drops to <0.01 AND REMAINS THERE TO THIS DAY7/2005-8/2005 5 weeks of IMRT and then HDR brachy1/2007 Rad Oncologist orders CT scan of pelvisbecause of complaints of pain in both thighsMRI confirms pain not caused by cancer BUT1/2007 CT scan of pelvis picks up a nodule at bottom of left lung5/2007 CT scan of lungs shows 1/2007 nodule has grown andthere are numerous nodules on both lungs.6/2007 Thoracic surgeon removes wedge of left lung for biopsy6/2007 Path report says 95% chance of metastatic PCa, but she'snever seen cells like this before.7/2007 2nd opinion at M.D. Anderson in Houston.They confirm: mutated PCa, very rare, but seen there 2 or3 times. Recommendation: have CT scans every 6 weeksand watch for change. At that point start chemo and willsurvive for 22 - 24 months thereafter.PSA STILL UNDETECTABLE

I'm home safe and sound, Les. I, too, had a wonderful time. For some reason Les and I seem like two best friends from school who are trying to catch up with each other. We gab and gab and then do it some more. What fun.

Les is a great guy who has done some serious thinking and prioritizing recently. Much to his surprise, he discovered a strong vein of courage within himself. It's my guess that a combination of age and prostate cancer began this change. It has been accelerated and advanced by all of you - the fine people on HealingWell. We are most fortunate that this forum is here for us.

Susan - in fact, my next stop is in Florida. Tomorrow. I'll be in Tampa for about four hours over the lunch hour. Lunch?

Meeting Les and Mika has been an important experience for me. These are great guys who have met the enemy and prevailed. Each in his own way. I am proud to call them friend.

I'm sitting on pins and needles, Les. Let's hear the news about the tests.

Gordy (Les) said...I said that thanks to this horrible disease, not only has my life changed for the better, but I've met a bunch of incredibely caring people from all over the country and world.

Hi Les,

I love the story of your visit with Bill and I love your quote above.

I have a good friend who was diagnosed with brain cancer and was not given much hope to survive, but only a few months. He has fought and fought and years later he is still with us. Soon after his first diagnosis, he said that this "wake up call" would give him a wonderful opportunity to turn each page of his life and carefully examine both sides of each leaf. That was a beautiful thought to me. Like him, you are finding ways to make lemonade out of lemons.

Reading your post brings a smile to my face. This is the Les that we all knew was there. I could read joy and love in your words. Aren't friends great. My wish and prayer for you is that your reports come back with a miracle. Yes, just for you. You deserve it. You have given so much to all of us here that it is time for you to receive. Sleep well tonight. You are in good hands. You know what I mean.

Tampa Bill?Just give me the high sign if you ever make it to the east coast, West Palm Bch. or Ft. Lauderdale. Just say NO to Miami!!!Love Ya Man!!Pete54 years old, Surgury, Radical Prostatectomy 8/20/03, PSA 6.6, Gleason 3 + 3 = 6, Adenocarcinoma extent (moderate) Stage & Margin:T2NOMX, No Metastases, Organ Confined, bone scan: Neg. Testosterone Theropy since 12/06. I am's what I am and that's all that I am!!!

Give a shout next time that you are flying over the north part of the Sunshine State. I don't know how well known it is in the rest of the country, but we have all heard of MD Anderson in this part of the country. A friend took his wife there and was extremely pleased. Although the PC situation appears to be under control (PSA undetectable) I may be moving on to other areas and may get a chance to check out that great hotel some day. You have a fantastic attitude and we hope that you check in with us more frequently.

What a wonderful thread... I too look forward to the day that I can wrap my arms around my friend Bill *Our Jetguy.

You rascally rabbit ~ I just might get my hands on you too one day!!!

Thank you for sharing this wonderful visit with all of us. It truly is a strong bond of strength ~ that we have found in our friendships on HealingWell… Having met Biker & MaryLu, Puget, and Ray & Avis,..... ahhhhhh a friendship that is filled with love, support, and encouragement.

We are taking a Alaska Cruise this June. We have already made plans to meet Biker90 (Jim and Mary Lu) in the Seatle area for lunch or dinner. I am looking forward to meeting them. It will be a great time for us also!

KW 43

PSA 5.7, Biopsy 3 of 12 positive (up to 75%) all on left side of prostate, Gleason 7

RRP on Oct. 17, - Nerves on right side saved. All Lab's clear.

Cathiter in for 28 days due to complications in healing. Removed Nov. 9, 2006